Grand Christmas & New Year's Cruise

13 DAYS FROM NUREMBERG TO BUDAPEST

Day 1 – Nuremberg (embark)

Arrive at Nuremberg Airport, where you will be transferred to the ship.

Day 2 – Nuremberg

FEATURED EXCURSION: Nuremberg city tour with Christmas Market

See the highlights of this quintessential medieval city on a panoramic tour, then visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, Germany’s oldest and best-known Christmas Market. Be sure to sample some lebkuchen (gingerbread) here in the “Gingerbread Capital of the World.” In the evening, enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner.

Day 3 – Cruising the Main-Danube Canal, Regensburg

Cruising the Main-Danube Canal, Regensburg

Spend a leisurely day onboard as you cruise along the remarkable Main-Danube Canal to the Danube River. After arriving in Regensburg, you are welcome to attend Midnight Mass in the city’s spectacular Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 4 – Regensburg

FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of “2,000 Years in One Hour” Regensburg walking discovery tour of Old Town OR Jewish Regensburg walking discovery tour

Regensburg is a delight to explore, with its quaint cobblestone streets, medieval alleys and ancient Roman ruins. If you wish, attend Christmas Day Mass in a local church before exploring the city with a local expert. Alternatively, you can see sites associated with one of the oldest Jewish communities in Germany. Return to the ship for a festive Christmas meal, complete with all the trimmings.

Day 5 – Cruising the Danube River, Deggendorf (Theresienthal)

Snuggle down in warm blankets on a horse-drawn wagon ride through a Bavarian Forest village. Later, visit the workshop of a world-renowned glass manufacturer that has created beautiful Bohemian glassware for European rulers for centuries.

Day 6 – Cruising the Danube River, Passau

FEATURED EXCURSION: Passau walking discovery tour

Enjoy scenic cruising en route to the beautiful city of Passau. Situated at the confluence of three rivers, Passau was an important center of trade during the Middle Ages, and you will see its charming Old Town on a guided walking discovery tour.

Day 7 – Linz (Salzburg)

FEATURED EXCURSION: Full-day Salzburg tour

Your guided tour of Salzburg’s Old Town—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—features the city’s 17th-century cathedral, the house where Mozart was born and the famous gardens where scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed. You’ll also have time to browse Salzburg’s lovely shops and boutiques.

Explore charming Dürnstein with your Cruise Manager, stopping to warm yourself with a mulled wine tasting and to attend a soul-stirring organ concert. Later, you’re in for a once-in-a-lifetime treat—a private cocktail reception at the 13th-century Artstetten Castle, hosted by an Austrian princess descended from the royal Habsburgs.

Day 9 – Vienna

FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Vienna city tour with Winter Palace of Prince Eugene visit OR exclusive “Taste of Christmas” walking discovery tour, and exclusive Mozart & Strauss concert at a Viennese palace

See the highlights of Vienna on a city tour that takes
you inside Prince Eugene’s magnificent Winter Palace.
Or, stroll through the Old Town on an exclusive “Taste
of Christmas” walking discovery tour, venturing down
famous shopping streets, marveling at shop window
displays of decadent confections and browsing the
stalls of the Am Hof and Freyung Christmas markets.
This evening, enjoy the music of Mozart and Strauss
at a private concert at a Viennese palace.

Day 10 – Vienna

FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Schönbrunn Palace, and exclusive New Year’s gala dinner and dance at a Viennese palace

Take a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the former
Habsburg summer residence that rivals Versailles
with its ornate décor and elaborate gardens. Tonight,
ring in the New Year in a glorious Viennese palace,
with a festive dinner, private concert and dancing.

Day 11 – Vienna, cruising the Danube River

After exploring Vienna on your own, relax onboard as the ship cruises to Budapest. In the evening, enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Reception and Gala Dinner.

Day 12 – Budapest

FEATURED EXCURSION: Budapest city tour

Your panoramic tour of beautiful Buda and Pest—situated on opposite sides of the Danube—features
the city’s famous 19th-century Chain Bridge,
St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the UNESCO-designated
Castle Hill district.

Day 13 – Budapest (disembark), transfer to the airport

Disembark the ship and transfer to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport for your flight home.